Ajoten

[quote name='Ajoten' post='500260' date='May 28 2009, 08:54 PM']Of course, and I would if I could find a shop within however-many-miles that stocked Dirnt, Hoppus, P5, 50s Classic, Reg Hamilton Jazz, Power Jazz, Precision Aerodyne, Epi Jack Casady, any Gibson at all, Rick Laredo, Yam Attitude (see where I'm going with this?)... I can play a Squier. Indie or Vintage before I buy it, and that's about the extent of the choice. Ultimately I'm going to have to take an online punt and just send it back if it's rubbish, so I'm trying to reduce the shortlist by theory rather than practice.[/quote] I really can't believe it. Wandered into my local shop to buy some strings and there was a Dirnt hanging on the wall! And in the correct colour! (sunburst) The neck felt ideal - but I believe quality grumbles have been about a possible tendency to warp. Seemed well-finished APART FROM the scratchplate not being flush to the body by the pickup. Not enough screws to hold it down I guess. OT, it was the body weight not neck chunkiness that was so striking! I did the Pepsi Challenge vs a US P-bass, and I reckon the MD sounded slightly sweeter and no less well-made. Ace.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='500819' date='May 29 2009, 12:42 PM']£500-£800 you say? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=50018"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=50018[/url] or [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=47434"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=47434[/url][/quote] Not convinced of the passiveness of those chaps.

[quote name='Linus27' post='500679' date='May 29 2009, 11:05 AM']For your money, you could get a Stingray or Lakland secondhand and the quality of these basses are very high. Yamaha also. Fender can be hit or miss although I have never had a poorly made Fender. The Dirnt Fender does have a very very fat neck so be aware of that.[/quote] Fat neck one of the main attractions in fact. But want a passive instrument, so the Stingrays are out. This is why I lean somewhat to Fender, as so few other brands do "superior" passive basses.

[quote name='YouMa' post='500225' date='May 28 2009, 08:26 PM']...2) Play it befor you buy it.[/quote] Of course, and I would if I could find a shop within however-many-miles that stocked Dirnt, Hoppus, P5, 50s Classic, Reg Hamilton Jazz, Power Jazz, Precision Aerodyne, Epi Jack Casady, any Gibson at all, Rick Laredo, Yam Attitude (see where I'm going with this?)... I can play a Squier. Indie or Vintage before I buy it, and that's about the extent of the choice. Ultimately I'm going to have to take an online punt and just send it back if it's rubbish, so I'm trying to reduce the shortlist by theory rather than practice.

Had Dirnt and Hoppus signatures on me shortlist of things to check out for an "upgrade" from the £150 Washburn I have (in which I've put a Nordstrand P pickup). Reviews seem mixed but for both there are grumbles re build quality, and also a hint that Fender's quality control is a bit dodgy. Now my Washboard is v cheap, but BEAUTIFULLY put together (as is my Peavey 7er g**t*r of similar value). I was intending to move up to something with a bit more "class" but I'm now concerned I'd actually be throwing £ away if I spent £500-£800 on something that in fact wasn't superior. So: a) are there just some companies whose quality is guaranteed? ii) is Fender a bit hit/miss generally, or only non-USA models?

[quote name='Buzz' post='448908' date='Mar 29 2009, 08:04 PM']ESP,Dean, and lots of luthiers will offer PJ's etc[/quote] BTW I'm not bothered about the J pickup but the J string spacing/nut width (altho your comment might still be valid). I'm told that Laklands might work in this respect (e.g. Duck Dunn).

I want a classic-looking instrument with a passive P bass sound and a J neck. Seems to me that means... [list=1] [*]Aerodyne P or J; [*]Modify a standard J so I can run the pickups in parallel (or miraculously find real S1 Jazz); [*]Reggie Hamilton Jazz and never use the active mode (a waste?); [*]Deluxe P wotsit or RH and fight with active controls (I hate tweaking, and get confused); [*]Something else I haven't thought about. [/list] All suggestions welcome.

I played a Jazz with the S1 switch last week, and with the switch engaged it sounded sweet. Really really nice. Obviously because it's A Good Thing, Mr Fender has ditched the idea - so is it possible to get a similar sound out of one of the huge range of current Jazz range? Passive P with a J neck would be ideal of course, but I've not made my mind up about the look/quality of either Aerodyne yet.

Seems daft offering bassing services on a bassing website, but you never know - so I add g**t*r capacity to make it more worthwhile. Wotevr, I'm looking a band/project. Must be for fun not fame, and sympathetic to needs of parent with coupla kids.

Please forgive my endless reminiscing, but does the Vic still have The Jukes on every Wednesday night? My power trio supported some other band there once and we died such a horrible death I really wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Re dearth of Uni gigs, when I was there the Uni Ents committee only ever put on right-on "world" or folk music acts, although we did get Dr Feelgood one xmas. Even The Waterboys had to ask to play (instead of being invited). But the blues band I was in managed half a dozen gigs in the Union over one academic year, so it's not impossible.

Oo blimey, don't remember. It ain't a huge place, but I imagine said night was in the week rather than Sat or Sun. Also, there was a top independent record shop on Bangor high street (Stryd Fawr?) which would likely have Wanted ads in the window (guy who worked there was a drummer too), but I imagine it's now a Tesco Express or sumfink. Feels like yesterday but is half me life ago :*( You could also pop into Griffiths Audio Visual nearby and ask Brian, if he's in. Another drummer, he's in league with others in the Gogledd Cymru music scene, might be able to help you out. His shop is probably another Tesco Express now too.

[quote name='Stu-khag' post='348599' date='Dec 8 2008, 01:45 PM']...Worth thinking about that Bangor is just over the bridge from there also...[/quote] Them idlers at the University will probably provide some opportunities. And there was an open-mike night at a pub in Beaumaris that might be good for making contacts. But that was er 18 years ago